Medical Education

 

Cardiovascular Imaging

Cleveland Clinic’s Imaging Institute is currently accepting applications for two fellowship positions in the Section of Cardiovascular Imaging.

The Cardiovascular Imaging Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic is a 1–2 year program, with a first year concentrated on clinical CVMRI and CT, and a second year with increased emphasis on research. This fellowship is designed to train cardiovascular specialists in advanced Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. At the end of the fellowship trainees will be expert in CVMRI and CT with a foundation in research, and will be well positioned to become leaders in the arena of CV Imaging.

Approximately 2000 cardiac MRI and 7000 cardiac CT are performed at the Cleveland Clinic each year. The Cardiovascular Imaging Center has 3 radiologists and 3 cardiologists dedicated to cardiovascular imaging with a wide range of expertise.

The Section of Cardiovascular Imaging is physically located within the Miller Pavilion, home to the Heart and Vascular Institute, giving the fellow the opportunity to also serve as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary clinical team. There also is active research in all areas of cardiovascular imaging, including ventricular mechanics, ischemic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, and valvular disease.

The one year program is designed to offer training and expertise in cardiovascular magnetic resonance and computed tomography and to begin research in cardiovascular imaging. The majority of the time will be spent in the Cardiovascular Imaging Laboratory (CVIL) where the cardiovascular CT and MRI scanners reside. The CVIL is co-staffed and run by cardiac radiologists and cardiologists expertly trained in the two modalities and fields.

For interested trainees, and by mutual agreement, a second year of fellowship training can be completed. The second year program will continue and further clinical expertise in CVMRI and CT, but will have an increased focus on research.

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

At the end of the training the fellow will achieve level III clinical competence accomplished by 12 months of cumulative training in the CVIL.

The curriculum includes:

  • Physics of MRI/MRA
  • Safety issues in MRI
  • Pulse sequences used in cardiovascular MRI/MRA
  • Scanning techniques from basic to advanced
  • Interpretation of cardiac MRI/MRA from basic to advanced
  • MR in coronary artery disease
    • Acquire skills in performance and interpretation of:
      • Left and right ventricular function – both global and segmental, and qualitative and quantitative
      • Tissue characterization in cardiomyopathies and infiltrative disorders mimicking ischemic disease
      • Ischemia evaluation with first pass myocardial perfusion
      • Myocardial viability determination with delayed enhancement imaging
      • Myocardial mechanics using myocardial tagging
  • MRI in valvular disease
    • Scanning techniques for evaluation of native and prosthetic valve function
    • Phase contrast imaging for quantitative calculation of vascular and cardiac chamber flows and volumes
  • Advanced aortic and peripheral vascular imaging with MRA, flow measurements, and compliance evaluations.
  • MRI in congenital heart disease focused on adult CHD.
Cardiovascular CT

At the end of the training the fellow will achieve level III clinical competence accomplished by at least 6 months of cumulative training.

Multiple weeks of formal lectures will be imparted by Cleveland Clinic Foundation staff and guest speakers. The training will provide expertise in the following areas:

  • Non contrast CT
    • Coronary calcification and quantitation determination.
  • Coronary angiography
    • Learn how to perform, supervise, and interpret a coronary CTA examination.
      • Laboratory requirements
      • Radiation safety
      • Contrast administration
      • Pharmacologic interventions and safety
    • Expertise in CTA interpretation
  • Other cardiac indications of CT/CTA
    • Pulmonary vein evaluation
    • Coronary vein angiography
    • Diseases of the thoracoabdominal aorta
    • Pericardial diseases
    • Tumors and masses of the heart
    • Valvular disease assessment
  • Extra-cardiac anatomy and pathology
    • Recognition of significant pathology and appropriate pathways for triage and/or followup
Echocardiography and Nuclear Imaging

Trainees with interest in echocardiography and/or cardiac nuclear imaging will have the opportunity to participate in one month rotations (or greater), as desired, and by mutual agreement with the respective sections.

Additional Information

Cleveland Clinic offers a competitive fellowship salary and benefits package. In accordance with the Office of Graduate Medical Education, each fellow is permitted three meeting days with appropriate compensation for CME credits. There is no call nor weekend responsibility, however weekend moonlighting opportunities are available in the regional general radiology practice, pending Ohio State licensing and hospital credentialing.

All applicants must have completed a United States residency training program in diagnostic radiology, and must be board certified or eligible by the American Board of Radiology prior to commencing the fellowship. Consideration also will be given to candidates with backgrounds in Cardiology and Nuclear Medicine. Foreign applicants must also be board eligible in their country of origin and be USMLE certified, complete with passing scores on Steps 1, 2, and 3.

Cleveland Clinic is a not-for-profit, multispecialty academic, JCAHO accredited medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. As a hospital, it attracts some of the most talented and respected physicians and research scientists, explaining why it consistently ranks among the top 4 hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Cleveland Clinic locations can be found throughout Northeast Ohio, as well as around the country and world, including: Florida, Canada, and Abu Dhabi.

All interested applicants

Please direct any questions and/or complete the online GME application form and send with current curriculum vitae, medical school transcripts and 2-3 letters of reference to:

Michael A. Bolen, MD
Program Director, Cardiovascular Imaging Fellowship Program
Cleveland Clinic Imaging Institute
9500 Euclid Avenue - J14
Cleveland, Ohio 44195
216.636.6168
bolenm@ccf.org

Lisa Clough
Fellowship Coordinator
Section of Cardiovascular Imaging
Cleveland Clinic Imaging Institute
9500 Euclid Avenue - J14
Cleveland, Ohio 44195
216.444.7760
cloughl@ccf.org

Subsequent required interviews will be granted on a first come, first serve basis.

Please take a moment to review a listing of all the requirements that must be met to train at Cleveland Clinic as well the non-smoking policy.